Two adults found in fire had been shot

HOUSTON {AP} A weekend house fire that claimed the lives of three children may have been started to cover up the shooting deaths of their two parents, investigators said Monday.

Autopsies performed Sunday showed Nilda Tirado, 24, and Esteban Herrera, 29, both died from gunshot wounds to the neck. The children, Rachel Elizabeth Cumpian and Valerie Herrera, both 7, and 23-month-old Jade Amber Herrera, died from smoke inhalation.

Harris County Sheriff's Lt. Albert Diaz said Monday investigators believe the adults were shot, then the fire was set to cover evidence of the slayings.

"There was no forced entry. We have reason to believe that obviously it was somebody they knew because there is not forced entry," Diaz said.

Investigators say nothing appeared to be missing from the house.

When firefighters arrived at the home, the blaze was nearly extinguished.

The bodies of the girls were found in a bedroom, Herrera was on the floor of the garage and Tirado was in the living room.